Posted By RVBusiness On January 31, 2011 @ 10:46 am In Breaking News | No Comments

Forget the 16-degree Sunday temperature and sharp wind — Delmer and Janet Berry of Bertrand, Neb., were visualizing the summer waves of Harlan Reservoir lapping just outside their brand new 35-foot travel trailer.

“There’s a picture window in the back,” Delmer said. “I can just back it up to the lake and look out.”

“There’s so much room,” Janet said as she relaxed on an upholstered love seat that makes out into a double bed.

The Berrys bought the nearly $30,000 Outback Utra-Lite trailer at the 34th Annual Mid-Nebraska RV and Boat Show this past weekend. They discovered the trailer on Saturday (Jan. 29) and bought it Sunday.

“I just peek in,” Janet said of how she looks for travel trailers. “I don’t even go in if I don’t think it will work. It’s got to have the back living room.”

When she peeked into the Outback Ultra-Lite, she immediately noticed the coveted back living room that the Berrys feel is a must have to accommodate their grandchildren, who often attend camping outings.

She walked past the paneled refrigerator and freezer, past the dual sink, stove and microwave and stood in amazement at the back living room.

“It’s got two slides, so it’s bigger back here,” Delmer said.

The slides extend the width of the trailer on both sides — so inside the living room, two recliners and the love seat were separated by enough floor space for a Twister game or multiple grandkids sprawled out in sleeping bags.

Even the ceiling height was higher than most, featuring a curve to add head room as well as architectural appeal.

But the two slides in the living room weren’t the only ones. The master bedroom featured the trailer’s third slide. The slide contained a clothes closet that when slid out gives walking room all the way around the trailer’s queen size bed.

Tony Staab, owner of Rich and Sons RV of Grand Island that sold the Berrys the trailer, said multiple slides are extremely popular. They give extra space and added features, he said.

That new technology makes a lot of the new trailers pullable by a regular pickup or sport utility vehicle, he said.

The Berrys weren’t the only ones in their family to upgrade their camping digs at the weekend show. Delmer’s cousin, Mike Shroeder of Holdrege, also bought a new trailer.

“We’re upgrading from one slide to three —and it has a king-size bed,” Schroeder said as he visited the Berrys’ new investment.

Delmer Berry said a niece also purchased a new trailer. Berry’s three sisters, three brothers and their families often gather throughout the summer at Harlan, Johnson Lake or Hall County Park. They had more than 90 family members in attendance at a recent family reunion — and 10 sleeping in their old camper last year.

“We camped 87 nights last year from April until the snow flew,” he said.

Staab said contrary to what some may think, a hike in gas prices does not typically deter camping outings. “This is recreation; they don’t go too far,” Staab said.

Camping is good family time and friend time too, Janet Berry said. “You meet the nicest people camping,” she said.

Camping is such a relaxing, fun way to spend time, that Janet Berry said she had no problem saying “yes” Sunday to what is now the couple’s third camper purchased from Rich and Sons RV.

“I had a choice of a new kitchen or a new camper and I wanted the camper,” she laughed.

The new camper has a built-in entertainment center that rises and lowers from living room cabinetry and will have satellite once the couple converts it over from their present camper. It also features central heating and air conditioning.

The three-day Mid-Nebraska RV and Boat Show that ended Sunday was sponsored by Rich and Sons RV, Dykeman’s Camper Place of Hastings, Eagle Crest RV of Grand Island, SeaLand Marine of Norfolk and Brad’s Marine of Hastings.

It was held in the Nebraska State Fair Exhibition Building at Fonner Park.